Fiat Australia Reveals More Affordable Entry-Level 104kW Abarth 595

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Australia has officially announced that it will begin sale of an Abarth that will be priced at just AU$27,500 (with additional on-road costs), making the Abath 595 the most affordable model available from the performance sub-brand.

The 500 Abarth 595, both hatch and convertible ($4000 dearer), will reach Australian showrooms toward the middle of 2016 at a price that significantly reduces the price to own an Abarth model which previous stood at AU$34,990 for the 595 Turismo.

Meant to bridge the divide between the 500 Lounge (the range-topping non-Abarth Fiat 500) and previous entry-level Abarth, the 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine in this new base 595 is, as expected, not as potent as that in the higher priced variants, producing 104kW compared to the 595 Turismo’s 118kW, the 132kW output of the Competizione, or the silly-fast 695 Biposto at 140kW.

Still, 104kW and 206Nm in plenty of poke for such a small car, and should still be plenty of fun around the corners rowing through the gears of its five speed manual transmission, which is standard, while a six-speed Dualogic automated manual is available as an option.

Standard equipment on the new base Abarth include a set of 16-inch wheels, reversing sensors, front fog lamps, and a 7-inch TFT touchscreen infotainment unit.